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Bourbon Notes

What makes Bourbon, well, Bourbon? There are a lot of questions and misconceptions regarding Bourbon and what makes it what it is versus other whiskeys.

Here is what legally makes it Bourbon:

Only whiskey produced in the United States can be called bourbon

Bourbon must be made from a grain mixture that is at least 51% corn

Bourbon must be distilled to no more than 160 (U.S.) proof (80% abv)

Bourbon must be aged in new, charred oak barrels

Bourbon has no minimum specified duration for its aging period, however:

Bourbon that meets the above requirements, has been aged for a minimum of two years, and has no added coloring, flavoring, or other spirits may (but is not required) to be called Straight bourbon

Bourbon that is labeled as Blended (or as ‘a blend’) may contain added coloring, flavoring, and other spirits; however, at least 51% of such a product must be Straight Bourbon

And here are just some interesting tidbits to break out at dinner party or something:

Bourbon can actually be produced anywhere in the U.S. where it's legal to distill alcohol, not just Kentucky

While the majority of Bourbons are produced in Kentucky, they've also been produced in Indiana, Illinois, New York, Virgina, Tennessee, Ohio, Missouri and Pennsylvania

To be considered "Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey" it must only be produced in Kentucky (a bit obvious on that one)

Bourbon has been in production since the 18th century- originally as a way to use surplus corn grown on farms to turn a profit

There are several theories but no one person is legitimately credited with the invention of Bourbon

What is now Kentucky was first settled by Scottish, Scotch-Irish, English and French settlers who probably brought their distillation techniques from Europe and just used grains that were readily available

Though 51% of the mash bill must be corn, a typical Bourbon mixture is over 70% corn, with the remainder usually a mixture of wheat, rye, and/or barley

The name Bourbon is derived from its historical association with an area known as Old Bourbon, around what is now Bourbon County, Kentucky

Bourbon County, KY was named for House of Bourbon royal family in France; of which the last official reigning monarch, Louis XVI, provided the colonists with financial and military assistance during the American Revolution